July 1, 2025, marks five years of President John S.K. Kauwe III’s leadership at BYU–Hawaii. These first few years can be defined by bold alignment with the university’s divine mission, providing expanded access for students across the Pacific and Asia, and an elevated commitment to excellence and accountability.
His 2020 appointment is not only historic, as he is the youngest president and the first of Native Hawaiian ancestry, but Elder Jeffrey R. Holland framed it as the fulfillment of prophecy associated with BYU–Hawaii and the beginning of a special time in the development of the Church Educational System.
Representing the BYU–Hawaii Board of Trustees at President Kauwe’s inaugural devotional, Elder Holland spoke of planting a new leader “called of God and prepared from his childhood upward to continue the miracle that we call Brigham Young University–Hawaii.” He declared that “heaven has cast a divine shaft of light on John S.K. Kauwe III,” describing both President Kauwe and his wife, Monica, as individuals of profound faith, deep love for Hawaii, and unwavering commitment to the university’s mission.
The Kauwes started at BYU–Hawaii with an apostolic charge; Elder Holland said, “What we have done in the past has led us marvelously to this day, but in no way is it sufficient for the trajectory the Church and the university are now on. We need to do all we have done in the past but do it better, for more students, in less time.”
Elder Holland’s charge to President Kauwe was clear: lead BYU–Hawaii in transformational change to significantly elevate its capacity to prepare disciples of Jesus Christ who will live and lead throughout the Pacific and Asia.
Under President Kauwe’s leadership, BYU–Hawaii is embracing this charge with remarkable focus and determination. Over the last five years, BYU–Hawaii has launched and expanded initiatives responding directly to Elder Holland’s call.
Fulfilling the Prophetic Charge
2021
- Changed the IWORK program from a conditionally forgivable loan to a full grant. In the years since this change, graduates have increasingly chosen to live and lead in the Pacific and Asia.
- Deepened collaboration with BYU-Pathway Worldwide, offering priority admissions to qualified students from the Asia and Pacific regions. Today, nearly one-third of all BYU–Hawaii students on campus began their university experience with BYU-Pathway.
- Became the first university in Hawaii to reopen to students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the university provided free COVID-19 testing and services for students and the broader community.
2022
- Opened the Banyan Dining Hall and dedicated a new Science Building, modernizing campus infrastructure and enhancing the student experience.
- Introduced the Holokai Foundations class to teach the mission and values of BYU–Hawaii and build a strong spiritual and academic foundation for new students.
2023
- Expanded mental health services, exceeding national accreditation standards and better supporting the needs of our unique student body.
- Hosted the first Asian Perspectives on Human Dignity Conference, bringing international scholars and students together to explore how diverse cultural views can strengthen global efforts to promote human dignity and religious freedom. BYU–Hawaii now hosts the conference as an annual event.
2024
- Restored the Iosepa voyaging canoe to the ocean, reaffirming BYU–Hawaii’s role in preserving and honoring Polynesian heritage.
- Achieved full institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), joining the Church Educational System in academic parity.
2025
- Increased opportunities for students through the new Construction and Facilities Management major and the Seminary Graduate Scholarship for Hawaii residents.
- Began major renovations on the Joseph F. Smith Library and finalized plans for replacing the McKay Building.
Photo by Monique Saenz - Completed revision of university curriculum driven by faculty recommendations, enabling all students to graduate in 10 semesters.
Ongoing
- Delivering a temple-centered new student orientation that grounds students in their purpose at the outset of their university journey.
- Empowering more graduates through the Hukilau and IWORK program. In the past five years, the number of students benefiting from these programs has more than doubled.
- Strengthening relationships with the Asia, Asia North, Pacific, and Philippines (BYU–Hawaii’s principal areas), Area Presidencies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, increasing the university’s capacity to serve and enrollment from these areas.
- Maintaining and hiring exceptional, highly qualified faculty—many of whom are top scholars in their fields with connections and/or expertise in these principal areas.
- Expanding on-campus student housing with three new Hales for single students and five new Temple View Apartment buildings for student family housing, with more underway.
- Creating a new solar infrastructure that currently provides over a third of the university’s energy, with a plan to reach full sustainability by 2027.
Unity, Discipleship, and a Vision Realized
President Kauwe remains rooted in the spiritual mission of BYU–Hawaii. In his October 2021 Inauguration address, “Together, We Must Continue His Work,” he reaffirmed, “Our mission is to be and build people who follow the example of Jesus Christ—people who are an example of unity, appreciation, esteem, and love for one another.”
The university now tangibly fulfills this mission across the Laie campus and beyond. It is reflected in Christ-centered living, strengthened international partnerships, focused academic offerings, a modernized and sustainable campus, and graduates who return to their nations equipped with a knowledge of their purpose, faith to live consecrated lives, and courage to strive for excellence in leadership and service.
President Kauwe said, during his first devotional address in May 2020, “When people from different backgrounds unite in a single purpose, wonderful things happen. When we unite in a prophetic purpose, miracles happen.” In the last five years, we have seen many miracles as we work united in prophetic purpose under President Kauwe’s leadership.
A shared commitment to purpose, consecration, and excellence among students, employees, university leaders—including the Board of Trustees—and Latter-day Saints around the world makes these miracles possible.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, the current Chair of the Executive Committee of the BYU–Hawaii Board of Trustees, directed us to “Honor those who have gone before us and their sacrifices... I want to urge all of us to keep faith with this legacy and build upon it...let us humbly place an offering of our own consecrated lives."
The divine shaft of light that directed Elder Holland now shines brighter through the consecrated lives of thousands of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The Kauwe family’s loving service continues to be an example of faith and power that unites BYU–Hawaii in its divinely appointed mission.
“The future is bright because we are united in our continued efforts to embrace Elder Holland’s apostolic charge as we seek and expect miracles in the service of God,” reaffirms President Kauwe.
